Loose-leaf Links #56

Loose-leaf Links is a feature where I gather together the interesting bits and pieces on sci-fi, fantasy and romance I’ve come across and share them with you over tea. Today’s tea is Earl Grey from Madura Tea. It’s a stronger tea but balanced nicely with the fragrant bergamot.

Announcements

The preliminary ballot for the Ditmar Awards has been released. I’m honoured to be nominated for Best Fan Writer and Best Fan Publication in Any Medium. Thank you to everyone who nominated me!

I’ve also been working hard for the Skiffy and Fanty Show. My first interview for them is now available. Cody Sisco joins me to talk about alternate history, mental illness and his Resonant Earth series.

Follow Up

Last week I interviewed Marlee Jane Ward, the sole candidate for the Down Under Fan Fund. DUFF is now open for voting, so go and vote to send her to WorldCon!

Awards News

As I mentioned above, the Ditmar shortlists are available. Congratulations to all the nominees! This means that voting is open to anyone who is attending Swancon 43 or who attended Continuum 13. The deadline for voting is 18 March.

After a long wait, the 2017 Hugo Awards ceremony is finally available to watch on YouTube. Due to technical difficulties, it is missing the first 15 minutes and the first category (Best Fan Artist).

Community and Conventions

Christina of Books and Tea is running a series of interviews with members of the Canadian spec-fic publishing industry. This week she spoke to Anathema Magazine about their crowdfunding campaign and the sorts of stories they’re looking for from writers.

Less strictly about SFF, friend of the blog Renay from Lady Business is raising funds to attend Camp Wellstone. The program is designed to develop political skills that attendees can then bring back to their local community. This has been a dream of Renay’s for a long time and it would be amazing to see her attend.

After being pre-emptively banned from WorldCon 76, Jon Del Arroz has threatened to sue.

On Equity

Penguin Young Readers has announced a new imprint that will publish diverse books for children and young adult readers.

Rachel Cordasco has joined the Skiffy and Fanty team and has just aired the first episode of a new segment on SFF in translation. If you’re looking to get across what is coming out from publishers big and small, you’ll definitely want to check this out.